Pakistan and Afghanistan are getting ready to sign a new Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that will start from August 1, 2025. This agreement will make it easier for both countries to trade by allowing some fruits and dry fruits to be imported and exported without paying any duty.
The deal is being finalized in Islamabad, where both sides are holding important talks to settle the last details. This step is seen as a positive move to reduce past trade tensions and build better economic ties between the two neighbors.
The duty-free trade will be carried out under an Early Harvest Program (EHP). This program will include popular products such as apples, grapes, tomatoes, pomegranates, potatoes, mangoes, bananas, and kinnows. Farmers and traders in both countries hope this will open up new markets and increase income for local growers.
One important point is that all the goods traded under this program must be grown locally. They will need to have a Certificate of Origin to prove this. This ensures that only genuine local products get the benefits of duty-free trade.
The Early Harvest Program will run for one year at first. If both countries agree and see good results, they can extend the program for more years.
Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan believe that this trade agreement will not only help their economies but also build trust and friendship between the two countries. By supporting local farmers and traders, the PTA aims to bring growth and new opportunities to the region.
